1. Unit 1 Revision Classes Overview of the Unit: -To know what a Gospel is and how it fits into the New Testament. -To consider the Who? What? When? Where? Of Mark’s Gospel. -To explore why Mark wrote his Gospel. -To look at possible sources behind Mark’s Gospel. -To know the context of persecution around Mark’s Gospel and the Calming of the Storm.

2. -To know what a Gospel is and how it fits into the New Testament. Key Terms Bible – sacred book for Christians containing both the New and Old Testaments. Gospel –literally “good news”, there are four Gospels telling of the life and work of Jesus. Authority – Christians believe that the gospels should be respected as conveying deep religious truths. Mark 1:1 “The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God.” What does “Messiah” mean? What do we immediately know about Mark’s views?

3. Who was Mark? Papias, an early Christian writer wrote about Mark: “Mark having become the interpreter of Peter wrote down accurately whatsoever he remembered. It was not, however, in exact order that he related the sayings or deeds of Christ. For he neither heard the Lord nor accompanied Him.” What does this tell us about Mark? To consider the Who? What? When? Why? Where? Of Mark’s Gospel.

4. Who was Mark? Papias, an early Christian writer wrote about Mark: “Mark having become the interpreter of Peter wrote down accurately whatsoever he remembered. It was not, however, in exact order that he related the sayings or deeds of Christ. For he neither heard the Lord nor accompanied Him.” What does this tell us about Mark? His information comes from Peter. He might not be fully reliable as a source – it’s from memory. It’s been structured and organised, it’s not just a record. He didn’t have contact with Jesus. To consider the Who? What? When? Why? Where? Of Mark’s Gospel.

5. Mark 1:1 “The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God.” 1) What does “Messiah” mean? 2) What do we immediately know about Mark’s views? 3) What else does Mark’s Gospel contain? To consider the Who? What? When? Why? Where? Of Mark’s Gospel.

6. Mark 1:1 “The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God.” 1) What does “Messiah” mean? Literally the “anointed one” which means someone sent with a duty – the duty to save. 2) What do we immediately know about Mark’s views? Positive, Son of God, Old Testament fulfilled. 3) What else does Mark’s Gospel contain? Miracles, healings, parables, resurrection etc. To consider the Who? What? When? Why? Where? Of Mark’s Gospel.

7. When was it written? Why do scholars date it to this time? To consider the Who? What? When? Why? Where? Of Mark’s Gospel.

8. Scholars estimate it was written around the time of the destruction of Jerusalem in 65-70AD because this is predicted in Mark 13 – Mark may have only known about this because it had happened. This would support that Mark’s Gospel was the first of the 4 Gospels to be written. To consider the Who? What? When? Why? Where? Of Mark’s Gospel.

9. Where was it written? Why might the theme of persecution be linked to where it was written? To consider the Who? What? When? Why? Where? Of Mark’s Gospel.

10. The traditional view is that it was written in Rome. This could explain why the Gospel has the theme of helping and reassuring persecuted Christians throughout it, because Christians were being persecuted in Rome. To consider the Who? What? When? Why? Where? Of Mark’s Gospel.

11. Mark may have written his Gospel to ensure 3 key themes about Jesus are put across. What are these key themes? To consider the Who? What? When? Why? Where? Of Mark’s Gospel.

12. What are these key themes? Identity of Jesus: man and God – so people could empathise with him and trust him. Jesus’ death and resurrection: it’s the key to how people are being saved, and Mark wanted people to know the truth about Jesus’ “death.” Discipleship and the Kingdom of God: failing as a disciple was normal, and encouragement to keep going towards the kingdom of God. To consider the Who? What? When? Why? Where? Of Mark’s Gospel.

13. Answer these questions in full sentences: 1.Why do you think Mark thought it was important to show Jesus’ human side? 2.Why do you think Mark thought it was important to show the disciples as people who sometimes failed and let Jesus down? 3.How do you think Mark’s Gospel helped the early Christians to have faith? 4.Do you think Mark’s Gospel is helpful for Christians today? Give reasons for your answer.

14. Unit 1 Revision Classes Overview of the Unit: -To know what a Gospel is and how it fits into the New Testament. -To consider the Who? What? When? Where? Of Mark’s Gospel. -To explore why Mark wrote his Gospel. -To look at possible sources behind Mark’s Gospel. -To know the context of persecution around Mark’s Gospel and the Calming of the Storm.

15. To explore why Mark wrote his Gospel. 2 minutes: give as many reasons as you can for WHY Mark wrote his Gospel. Remember the three themes he wanted to put across from last week!

16. To explore why Mark wrote his Gospel. Persecution: The outbreak of persecution in Rome after the terrible fire of 64CE and the martyrdom of both Peter and Paul made the need for a gospel more compelling. The events and significance of Jesus’ life death and resurrection needed to be recorded. What was needed was a gospel to reassure frightened and persecuted Christians.

17. To explore why Mark wrote his Gospel. Delay of the Second Coming: Christians had first expected Jesus to come back very soon. (But he didn’t). So Mark wrote in order to keep Christians focused on Jesus while they wait.

18. To explore why Mark wrote his Gospel. The Loss of Eyewitnesses: As time passed, eyewitnesses grew old and died. Peter died in the persecution during the reign of Nero. The evidence of eyewitnesses needed to be preserved.

19. To explore why Mark wrote his Gospel. Heresy: As Christianity slowly expanded converts brought with them some of their own beliefs and practices and Greek ways of thinking. Some false beliefs circulated about Jesus. For example, the idea of him not really being human and only seeming to die. Christians believed writing down the truth would prevent this from happening.

20. Unit 1 Revision Classes Overview of the Unit: -To know what a Gospel is and how it fits into the New Testament. -To consider the Who? What? When? Where? Of Mark’s Gospel. -To explore why Mark wrote his Gospel. -To look at possible sources behind Mark’s Gospel. -To know the context of persecution around Mark’s Gospel and the Calming of the Storm.

21. To know the context of persecution around Mark’s Gospel and the Calming of the Storm. Collect points about why Christians were being persecuted.

22. The storm Jesus asleep The disciples’ panic Jesus addressing the storm. calm Jesus’ rebukes the disciples lack of faith The disciples amazement Using the scrambled words on the board, reorder them and put them into a detailed paragraph retelling the Calming of the Storm (4 marks). To know the context of persecution around Mark’s Gospel and the Calming of the Storm.

23. 35 On the evening of that same day Jesus said to his disciples, "Let us go across to the other side of the lake." 36 So they left the crowd; the disciples got into the boat in which Jesus was already sitting, and they took him with them. Other boats were there too. 37 Suddenly a strong wind blew up, and the waves began to spill over into the boat, so that it was about to fill with water. 38 Jesus was in the back of the boat, sleeping with his head on a pillow. The disciples woke him up and said, "Teacher, don't you care that we are about to die?" 39 Jesus stood up and commanded the wind, "Be quiet!" and he said to the waves, "Be still!" The wind died down, and there was a great calm. 40 Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Why are you frightened? Do you still have no faith?" 41 But they were terribly afraid and began to say to one another, "Who is this man? Even the wind and the waves obey him!" The Calming of the Storm: 4: 35–41 B/C I can link the Calming of the Storm to Christians who faced persecution in 1 st Century Rome.

24. To know the context of persecution around Mark’s Gospel and the Calming of the Storm. Explain how the Calming of the Storm can help Christians facing persecution. (6 marks). -This can be Christians NOW and in the PAST. -Include EXAMPLES. -Include EVIDENCE from the text.

25. Antisocial Citizenship was important. Good citizens took part in civic ceremonies such as sacrificing things to many gods. Christians are monotheists (believing in only one god), and could not be involved in these sacrifices to many gods. If a friend offered a Christian meat they may not take it because it would have been sacrificed to a god first. It must have been strange that a friendly neighbour suddenly refused all invitations to parties. Therefore, Christians were considered antisocial. Source one

26. Immoral Many rumours spread about Christian rituals. People thought that during baptism, murders were happening! This is because Christians talked of ‘dying from their old life’ when they joined the Church. Also, Christians were accused of cannibalism (eating humans) during the Eucharist Jesus (This due to the sacrificial death of is my body, eat it in memory of me). Source two

27. A Threat to Social and Political Stability Daily life in the ancient world was dependent on slavery. Slaves did many jobs and had a difficult life, they were often badly treated. Christianity appealed to slaves as it emphasised the dignity and equality of all humans. Some slaves held important positions within Christian churches. Source three

28. A Threat to the Economy Some cities in the Roman Empire had temples and shrines that were important centres of pilgrimage, selling statues of gods and goddesses. If Christianity took over they would lose this money. Source four

29. Enemies of the State The Roman emperor was considered to be god. The Jews were not made to worship the Emperor. Christians were expected to worship and consider the Emperor as god. They would not worship the Roman Emperor and they tried to convert people to be Christian. The Romans were worried they would not follow Roman authority. Source five

30. The Neronian Persecution In 64 CE there was a major fire in Rome. The blame for the fire was placed on Roman Emperor Nero who needed to find other groups to blame. The unpopular Christians, already viewed with suspicion were an obvious choice! Nero began his persecution, were many died including Peter and Paul. Source six

31. Unit 1 Revision Classes Overview of the Unit: -To know what a Gospel is and how it fits into the New Testament. -To consider the Who? What? When? Where? Of Mark’s Gospel. -To explore why Mark wrote his Gospel. -To look at possible sources behind Mark’s Gospel. -To know the context of persecution around Mark’s Gospel and the Calming of the Storm.

32. Past 6 Markers – Evaluation Style! Practice the one you are LEAST confident answering ‘The disciples make good role models for persecuted Christians.’ ‘Mark’s Gospel gives all the information about Jesus that Christians need.’ ‘Without Mark’s Gospel persecuted Christians would have lost their faith.’ ‘Mark’s Gospel proves that Jesus is the Messiah (Christ).’